Maharashtra cabinet sub-committee clears Rs 1,722-cr Versova-Bandra Sea Link-Savarkar bridge connector

The Maharashtra cabinets infrastructure subcommittee has approved a Rs 172240 crore project to build a 355km connector linking the Bandra Fort end of the underconstruction VersovaBandra Sea Link VBSL with the Savarkar Sea Bridge paving the way for faster road connectivity between Mumbais western suburbs and south MumbaiThe Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation MSRDC will implement the project which is expected to significantly reduce travel time and improve traffic movement along the citys western coastal corridorThe proposal received clearance from the cabinet subcommittee headed by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday after it was approved by a committee of secretaries led by the Chief Secretary on June 17Project to strengthen coastal road connectivityAccording to an official release the estimated cost of the project is Rs 172240 croreThe total outlay includes Rs 118379 crore for construction along with expenditure on Goods and Services Tax GST land acquisition and other projectrelated costsOnce completed the new connector will provide a seamless link between the VersovaBandra Sea Link and the Savarkar Sea Bridge strengthening connectivity between Mumbais western suburbs and the citys southern business districtsThe project is also expected to ease congestion on existing arterial roadsTravel time expected to reduce sharplyThe proposed connector has been designed to accommodate approximately 3500 passenger cars every hourAccording to the government commuters travelling from Worli to Fort during peak hours are expected to see travel time reduced from up to 45 minutes to about 5 to 10 minutesSimilarly the journey from Fort to Versova which currently takes around one hour during heavy traffic is expected to be reduced to approximately 15 to 20 minutes after the project is completedOfficials said the connector would improve overall traffic flow and enhance connectivity with the citys growing network of coastal infrastructure projectsRehabilitation and environmental measures includedThe project also includes provisions for rehabilitation and environmental mitigationAccording to the official release around 40 hutments will be affected by the project and their rehabilitation has been incorporated into the project plan The government has earmarked Rs 50 crore for compensation and rehabilitation of affected residentsAn additional Rs 20 crore has been allocated as compensation for fishermen likely to be affected during project executionAnother Rs 20 crore has been set aside for environmental mitigation measures aimed at minimising the ecological impact of the constructionVersovaBandra Sea Link work underwayThe connector project will integrate with the ongoing VersovaBandra Sea Link one of Mumbais major infrastructure projects being executed by the MSRDCAccording to the official release the revised cost of the VersovaBandra Sea Link project stands at Rs 1812096 croreAs of May 2026 approximately 31 per cent of the construction work had been completed against the scheduled target of 3584 per centThe government expects the VersovaBandra Sea Link project to be completed by May 2028 Once operational the sea link and the newly approved connector are expected to enhance connectivity between Mumbais western suburbs the BandraWorli Sea Link corridor and south Mumbai while reducing travel time for thousands of daily commutersWith inputs from PTI